Bradley Wins Hammer to Lead Gauchos at Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invite at UCLA

The majority of the UCSB track and field team competed this weekend at the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invite in Westwood, CA with one victory and one new NCAA West Regional qualifying mark. On Friday six Gaucho distance runners competed at the Mt. Sac Relays in Walnut, CA achieving two new regional marks of their own.

Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invite

Senior Eugene Bradley was the lone winner for UCSB at the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner-Kersee Invitational, improving on his regional qualifying standard. Bradley's throw of 211' 2" ranks as one of the top-20 marks in the nation this season. Also on the field junior Jeff Stewart qualified for regionals for the second year in a row in the shot put with a mark of 55' 3.5" for second place.
Friday marked a healthy return to the track for two essential members of the Gaucho's men's team. Senior Tetlo Emmen made his season debut in 1:52.89, well of his personal best, but good enough for third overall and a conference qualifier. The 5,000 meters marked the return of junior Chris Ashley, on the track for the first time this season, cruised to an easy 14:25.31 and freshman Julian DeRubira ran a awesome 14:43.61 for and unofficial freshman school record.
In the sprints UCSB welcomed a return to health for junior Max Bellissimo as he ran a lifetime best in the 400 of 48.26 for third and followed up with a solid 200 in 22.06 for second place. Freshman hurdler Andrew Johnston ran the conference qualifier in the 400 hurdles crossing the line in a time of 55.97.
The women had some good performances on the track as well, led by junior Kerry Gamble's college best 55.12 good for second place overall. Freshman Alyssa Brown ran a 2:13.67 for 5th place in the 800, almost a second personal best.

In the field the senior Ashley Coelho jumped a seasonal best in the triple jump of 38' 6.25" placing third on Friday. In the pole vault senior Heidi Nyberg cleared 12 feet and took three solid attempts at the regional just missing on her third and final attempt. Junior Jamie Schwarzbach threw a lifetime best 44' 0" in the shot put for a seventh place finish in a stellar field. In the hammer throw senior Amy Haapanen finished number one amongst collegians while teammate and fellow senior Heather Quinn was the No. 4 collegian in the field.

Competition continues on Saturday with the invitational section of the meet highlighted by UCSB's entries in the field events.

MT. SAC RELAYS

At the Mt. Sac Relays Sophomore Danielle Domenichelli, Senior Hadas Moser and Junior Bethany Nickless competer in the women's 1500. Domenichelli finished in 9th in her heat with a time of 4:27.42 good for a NCAA West Regional qualifier. Moser and Nickless finished in 8th(4:30.60) and 11th(4:36.63) respectively in their heat.

The men's 1500 featured senior Mike Chavez finishing in 15th with a time of 3:47.72 which qualifies him for the NCAA Regionals in his third event this season. In the steeplechase senior Micah Tyhurst and sophomore Scott Smith finished in 4th and 9th. Tyhurst's time of 9:09.09 was a seasonal best just off the regional mark of 9:07.00 and Smith's time of 9:19.46 is a lifetime best.